The Daniel Fast: January 3-23, 2012

Daniel Fast Overview

The Daniel Fast is a spiritual discipline designed to better connect us with God. As leaders of Gordy Memorial C.O.G.I.C ,we'll take 21 days, the three weeks of prayer, fasting and consecration ,to deepen our relationship with God and center ourselves around what God is going to do in our church, families and in our lives during this series. We are praying that hundreds of people will come to faith in Christ during the Gospel series as we invite our friends who are “far from God”. We will be reading and meditating on the book of St. Luke and in conjunction with the fast, we'll be reading one chapter in the book of John per day for the duration of the fast. We will come together for 1hr in corporate prayer at the Church from 7-8pm: except for Friday night our time will be from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. On each Friday night during the fast it will be revival night at Gordy Memorial C.O.G.I.C. service will start after prayer. This will be a challenging process, but we look forward to seeing what God does in our church and experiencing him with intensity during the 21 days of the fast.

Remember, every sacrifice is a gain!!!!!

Who: The entire Church staff and Members will be participating in the fast during this exciting season.

When:

Tuesday, January 3, Begin the “Daniel Fast”.

Sunday January 23 midnight Break the Fast!

What:

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, which means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet, but will have generous options available. We will focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are pure

and simple. We have included a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid.

*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning

the fast.

***Levels of Participation:

Twice in the book of Daniel a fast is mentioned. Once is for 21 days and the second for 10 days. We are asking our members to join the leadership staff in the 21 day fast but if circumstance won’t allow the full fast, we ask

that you would set aside 10 days during the fast to join us in prayer and fasting.

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast…

All fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch for added sugar).

Apples

Apricots

Avocados

Bananas

Berries

Blackberries

Blueberries

Boysenberries

Breadfruit

Cantaloupe

Cherries

Coconuts

Cranberries

Dates

Figs

Grapefruit

Grapes

Grenadine

Guava

Honeydew melons

Kiwi

Lemons

Limes

Mangoes

Melons

Mulberry

Nectarines

Oats

Olives

Oranges

Papayas

Peaches

Pears

Pineapples

Plums

Prunes

Raisins

Raspberries

Strawberries

Tangelos

Tangerines

Watermelon

Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned (watch salt content).

Artichokes

Asparagus

Beets

Broccoli

Brussel sprouts

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery

Chili peppers

Collard greens

Corn

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Garlic

Ginger root

Kale

Leeks

Lettuce

Mushrooms

All type of greens

Okra

Onions

Parsley

Peppers

Potatoes

Radishes

Rutabagas

Scallions

Spinach

Sprouts

Squashes

Sweet potatoes

Tomatoes

Turnips

Watercress

Yams

Zucchini

Legumes:

Dried beans

Black beans

Cannellini

Pinto beans

Split peas

Lentils

Black eyed peas

Green beans

Green peas

Kidney beans

Peanuts (includes natural

peanut butter)

Beans

Lentils

Lupines

White

Peas

Seeds:

All nuts (raw, unsalted)

Sprouts

Ground flax

Cashews

Walnuts

Sunflower

Sesame

Almonds

Natural Almond Butter

Whole Grains:

Whole wheat

Brown rice

Millet

Quinoa

Oats

Rolled Oats

Plain Oatmeal- not instant

Barley

Grits (no butter)

Whole wheat pasta

Whole wheat tortillas

Plain Rice cakes

Popcorn

Liquids:

Water (spring, distilled, filtered)

Unsweetened Soy Milk

Herbal (caffeine free) Tea

100% Fruit/Vegetable Juice (no added sugar)

Other:

Tofu

Soy products

Herbs

Small amounts of Honey

Small amounts of Sea Salt

Small amounts of Ezekiel Bread

Small amounts of Olive Oil

Spices (read the label to be sure there are no

preservatives)

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast…

All animal products including all meat, fish…(you may have baked chicken and fish but cooked in vegetable oil

White rice

White bread

All deep fried foods

Caffeine

Coffee (including decaf b/c contains small amount of caffeine)

Carbonated beverages

Tjr drinks

Foods containing preservatives, additives

Refined foods

Processed foods

Food additives

Refined sugar

Sugar substitutes

Raw sugar

Syrups

Molasses

Cane juice

White flour

Margarine

Shortening

High fat products

Butter

All leavened breads

Baked goods

All dairy

Milk

Cheese

Yogurt

Cream

Eggs

Alcohol

Mayonnaise

I Believe

There is nothing that my God cannot do: I Believe

We are coming to a close of 2011, and for many it has been a difficult year and for others it was a year of miracles, signs and wonders. Only God knows what 2012 will behold for His people. But we as the people of God are expecting a year of FAVOR. Let us start now preparing our hearts, minds and souls to seek the Lord. You can now join me in prayer by going to the Gordy Memorial website and clicking on the tab “The Wailing Wall” (or go to www.gordymemorial.org/the-wailing-wall) and submit your prayer request. Commit to be a prayer warrior for 2012. I’m asking the Lord for 12,000 prayer warriors who will join in and pray for the salvation of our nation and families and that He will send a revival to the Body of Christ. The bible says that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man or women availeth much.

You can follow the bar at the bottom of the Wailing Wall page and let the prayer and song play out…as you pray and meditate let the Lord bless your soul. This is the time to seek the Lord, come on; your heavenly Father is waiting to hear from you.

Sign up now and be a prayer Warrior for 2012…..Expect the extraordinary.

Pastor Daniel R. Grandberry… G.M you know!!!

The Power of a Sanctified Life

The Power of a Sanctified Life:

The word sanctified means: sacred, holy, consecrated and blessed. Therefore in order for a person to live a life of sanctification he or she must be holy and live a life that is consecrated unto the Lord. We are not sanctified by our own works alone but by putting our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By putting our faith in Jesus, He gives us the power, the ability to live this committed life. Let me take a moment to give a short bible study on this matter for the purpose of bringing you closer to God that you may be able to walk in your calling...

First of all I want to start by telling you that Sanctification is a process of God’s Grace by which the believer (you and me) are separated from sin and become dedicated to God’s righteousness. God sanctifies us by His Word, (read John 17:17) and by the Holy Spirit, (read Rom. 8:3-4).

We are made holy by the Trinity: It is the work of God the Father, (read Jude), the work of God the Son, (read Heb. 2:11) and the work of God the Holy Spirit, (read 2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Pet. 1:2). All of who, and what God is, is in the process of making us holy, sanctifying us. Now I want you to know that Sanctification is a process that continues during our lives as believers (Heb.10:14).

Now after saying all of that, we also have a responsibility in the process of our sanctification. We are commanded by God to be holy (Lev.11:44, 1 Pet. 1:15-16). As we accept God’s demands of Sanctification, God empowers us to live this life of Joy, Peace, Power, and Victory. God accepts us and we will have a continual non-interrupted fellowship with the Lord. All of this is made possible in a life of Sanctification. So my Sister and Brother, be all you are designed to be in Jesus Christ.

Pastor, Daniel R. Grandberry…G.M you Know!!!

Love what God Love and Hate what God Hates….

You will not see the wind, neither will you see rain...

You will not see the wind, neither will you see rain:
2 King 3:16-18

Sometimes when we are waiting on God to perform a Miracle for us we can become distracted about the “How” rather then the “What”. We are consumed by how God is going to do what He said. I want you to know that when God makes you a promise you can rest in His Word. Don’t worry about the How; how He’s going to do it, when He’s going to do it, and where He’s going to do it. Just know that God is not a man that He should lie, if He said it He will perform it. First of all He knows us better than we know ourselves: He knows our needs, desires, our limitations, strengths, weakness, and yes what really hinders us from believing totally on Him.

In 2 Kings 3:16, God spoke to the prophet Elisha in a time when the nation of Israel was up against their known enemy, the Moabites. Israel was physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. At this point they were no match for their enemies: they need water but the valley was dry: have you ever been in a place where you just needed a miracle? This was the situation that Israel found themselves in, up against the enemy, tired, no water to drink, beat down. They needed a miracle. I know that some of you might be in this same place…bills mounting up, and no job, sick in your body and no health insurance, car bill due, baby needs a new pair of shoes, waiting on your next pay check, don’t know what you’re going to do…your saying Lord I need a Miracle!

God told Elisha to tell Israel to make this valley full of ditches: before God can do what He wants to do in our life, before the Miracle happen we need to prepare for it…make room for God’s blessing. Dig your ditches means to prepare your Faith, and get an attitude of praise and worship. Notice that this is the only command that God gave Israel…to dig. God is not going to dig ditches for us…we’ve got to believe God for ourselves, we’ve got to trust God, and we must praise Him and do our part. Watch what happened: when Israel dug their ditches in the valley God said that they will not see the wind nor the rain. This miracle is not going to happen in the traditional way. But God is going to do a new thing in this season for you my brother and my sister. Do not expect God to work the same way Your blessing is going to come in a unexpected way. It will not come by the wind or the rain but the valley will be full of water. God will fill your valley with water…God will fill your house with His glory, supply your needs, fill your unemployment with employment, you sick body with healing and yes your empty bank account with finances. Listen to what God said, “And you shall drink…”, not only will God fill your valley but you will be able to enjoy what He has provided for you. So make preparation for your miracle, and watch God fill your valley and get ready to drink. God said in the 18th verse, “And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.” Oh yes I forgot to tell you; after God fills your Valley He will also give you the victory over the very thing that has been attacking you! It’s not a hard thing with God but a light thing. What a mighty God we serve. So don’t worry about the how, but know that God is more than able. It’s a light thing with God to give you that job. It’s a light thing with God to give you the desires of your Heart. Trust Him today!!!

Elder Daniel R. Grandberry, Pastor

G.M…you know!!!

The Power of a Vision

Having a vision makes the difference between success and failure, victory and defeat, prosperity and poverty. The Bible speaks to us in the book of Prov. 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish". The word perish means there is no restraint. The word restraint means self-control or imprisonment. In other words when a person lives their life without having a vision they will have a life that is out of control and they become bonded by things, people, and situations. For example, you take a person who is naturally blind; they are in darkness and cannot see the beauty of the world and the faces of people around them. When we lack spiritual vision we suffer even a greater setback.

In Matt. 14:22-33, Jesus had sent His disciples to the other side of the lake. They got into a boat and began to sail towards the place of their destination. While in the middle of the sea a storm arose and Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water in the midst of the storm. Because of the violence of the storm, the disciples perceived Jesus to be a ghost. Fear can distort your vision,but Peter stood above the rest and said, “Jesus if it be you, permit me to come” or permit me to step out of this boat and do something that defies nature. You would think that Jesus would tell Peter "No! Are you crazy Peter? No man can walk on water!". But Jesus spoke to Peter and said “Come, step out from the rest of your brothers, and out of the boat that confines you...and come out here with me…". Peter stepped out of the boat and as he fastened his eyes on Jesus, began to walk on water. I can hear the rest of the disciples saying “Hey look, Peter is walking on water. Is he out of his mind?". Peter was doing well until he took his eyes off Jesus. He lost the vision. He began to take notice of the storms around him. The waves and the wind blowing was just a distraction. Distractions can cause you to lose sight of what you were called to do. But while Peter was sinking he cried out to Jesus and said “Lord Save Me!!!" and Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up. This teaches us that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and keep the vision before us, we can do anything…even defy the very laws of nature. Come out from around people who are afraid to move forward, step out of the thing that confines you, never listen to the storm, and most important, by all means Keep your eyes on Jesus.


~Pastor Daniel R. Grandberry….G.M You Know!!!


c/o Sis. Jennifer D. Smith
Gordy Memorial COGIC
Public Relations
publicrelations@gordymemorial.org

Encountering the FOG

On my way into work this morning, like many of you I was confronted by the FOG. The roads that I traveled every morning became difficult and challenging to drive. I know every angel, every turn, mile by mile and block by block. But some how as I was driving I was pulled out of my comfort zone when the fog became so think that I no longer could see the road. The road did not change, only my situation changed. My vision was hindered and I had to rely totally on what I knew. After arriving safely at work I watched the Sun rise and the fog began to dissipate.

The fog that we encountered this morning is called radiation fog. It is most common in the fall seasons. It occurs when the nights get longer and land and water surfaces that have warmed up during the summer are still evaporating a lot of water into the atmosphere. In other words FOG is the result of two seasons clashing…summer and fall; the beginning of one and the ending of another.

Traveling life's roads sometimes we will encounter “The FOG” the clashing of two seasons. When this happens we become unclear about our place in life, our future and what God has in store for us: the beginning of one season of our life and the ending of another. In these times, when we are caught between two seasons and our vision is blury we must rely on what we know…”The Word of God”. Situations will change, things and people will come and go, life will have its up’s and downs but the Word of God will never change. The Road that God put you on is still there; stay on the road even when you can’t see it. Remember we walk by faith and not by sight.

Remember this important fact; fog dissipates when the temperature rises and Sun Light breaks forth…you can make it through your “FOG” if you would rise up above what you going through, change the temperature of your praise from low to high… and let the “SON” Jesus Christ break forth in you and through you… Isaiah 58:8

Pastor Daniel R. Grandberry…G.M you know!!!

Lord, Give Me My Mountain

Joshua 14:12 “Lord give me my mountain”

I would like to ask you a question; are you ambitious enough to go after you dreams, your blessing, the promises that God has spoken over your life?

Many people might say that having ambitions or being ambitious is being self-centered. Ambition means to have a dream, hope, a purpose and the determination, the drive, and the motivation to reach it. God has placed in each of us the desire to be better, to accomplish great things… whether it’s to raise children in a godly home, to have a successful career, to finish school, to have a strong and healthier marriage, or to grow in the Lord. Whatever the case may be we must understand that having ambitions is God given.

Often times the enemy cripples our ambition. I call it the “A.C”, the Ambition Crippler. The enemy to ambition is our past. Every time God shows you your future, what you can do and what you can become, the devil comes along and shows you your past, your failures, your faults. All of a sudden you become overwhelmed with a spirit of inadequacies and fear comes over you and leaves you paralyzed. Another day goes by, a week, a month, then a year and you find yourself in the same place.

This is what happened to the nation of Israel, they came to the place of their promise, or their blessing. God told them to go up and to possess the land, but instead of possessing their blessing, they ran because of what they saw. It wasn’t the giants that they saw that frightened them, it was how they saw themselves, and they said “We are like grasshoppers in our own sight”. Seeing themselves as being inadequate robbed them of the ambition to go forward.

But forty years later Joshua and Caleb stand with the nation of Israel at the same place of forty years earlier, looking at the their promise. Caleb has seen this place before and says with a loud voice, “Lord give me my mountain”. In other words, I have the ambition, the faith, the motivation to go into my promised land and possess my blessing. Without ambition you will never possess your dreams. So go for it! The Lord has already gone before you to make the way!

Pastor Daniel R. Grandberry….G.M… You Know!!!